APPENDIX E.—INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 197 
3. Poa alpina'. This grass is also new to the agriculturalist. I 
first found it in 1788, on a high rock called Corbie Craig, in the 
parish of Tannadice, and among stones near Airly castle in Angus- 
shire. It is also found near the summit of several of the Highland 
Alps; but in these very elevated situations it is always viviparous : 
that is, its flowers become perfect minute plants, which drop off and 
strike root in the ground; an admirable provision of nature for the 
propagation of the plant in such alpine regions, where the severity 
and continual moistness of the climate would in general prevent the 
seeds from ripening. Even in the most lofty and barren situations 
this plant would make excellent pasture; and I am certain that 
many soils and situations which could never be turned to account 
otherwise, might be rendered valuable as pasture by the introduction 
of this grass. It forms a good foggage, and even continues to grow 
through the winter. In short, the Poa alpina is one of the best 
grasses for establishing a green sod for pasture on upland grounds, 
where few good grasses would vegetate. It is true, that a hay crop 
could not be expected from it; but would it not amply repay the 
expence of labour, by converting sterile heaths into profitable 
sheep-walks, and green fields for cattle? The enterprising and 
ingenious farmer might thus be enabled to improve immense tracts, 
at present not worth a shilling each acre annually, but which might 
in many cases become of fifty times that value. 
4. Poa compressa®. Mr. Sowerby, in his English Botany, No. 36s, 
justly remarks, that this grass will not succeed in moist or manured 
ground ; but in very stony places it might be cultivated, and form a 
green surface where few other grasses would grow. I would not 
have it introduced into fields where crops of corn were raised in 
rotation, for the same reason that, in such a case, I would reject the 
Poa pratensis, viz. because it would be almost impossible ever to 
eradicate it from the ground. Nor would I adopt the Poa annua* as 
a cultivated grass, though for a different reason, viz. the difficulty of 
collecting its seeds. Were we to plant it, as mentioned by Dr. 
Martyn, it would certainly be an excellent grass for pastures that 
are much trodden. 
5. Poa pratensis. This grass is generally allowed to make good 
hay and pasture; but its running roots, as above hinted, render it 
not eligible when corn is to be cultivated. Its merit lies in intro- 
1 Alpine meadow grass. 
? Flat stalked meadow grass. 
. ual meadow grass. 
* Smooth stalked meadow grass. 
